We all know that the south has its own language, but have you ever wondered what those southern words actually mean? Here are 25 words true southerners say!
#1: Fixin’ To
This phrase means I’m about to. I can also be said all in one word, fixin-to or fixin-ta.
#2: Pocketbook
This is another name for a wallet. You would normally put your pocketbook in your purse.
#3: Po’ Boy
A Po’ boy is a traditional sandwich from Lousiana that is usually on New Orleans french bread with some sort of meat or fried seafood. This sandwich became popular in the south because of its low price.
#4: Collards
Collards are a dark green leafy vegetable. Collards are not a mixture of leafy vegetables, but a vegetable themselves. Collards are in the same family as kale, turnip greens, and mustard plants. Collards can be bitter if cooked improperly but are usually cooked with some sort of meat.
#5: Darn Tootin’
Darn Tootin’ is a phrase southerners use to say that they strongly agree with what you said.
#6: Hankerin’
Hankerin’ is a craving for something
#7: Britches
Britches means pants or underwear.
#8: Hushpuppies
In the south, we eat hushpuppies, coleslaw, and fish. Hushpuppies are usually a deep-fried ball of cornmeal, milk and some salt.
#9: Caddywompus
Caddywompus simply means crooked or not straight.
#10: Reckon
This is usually said as “I reckon” and it means “I suppose.”
#11: Skedaddle
Skedaddle means to go quickly.
#12: Tarnation
Tarnation is used to express surprise.
#13: Yonder
Yonder usually means over there, but it usually a general direction and not a specific area or direction.
#14: Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory means fine or great. It is usually expressed as, “Everything is Hunky Dory.”
#15: Mash
Mash means to push or hit something. Hit the button or mash the gas pedal.
#16: Crawdaddy
A crawdaddy is the same thing as a crawfish or crayfish. A crawdaddy is a freshwater crustacean resembling small lobsters.
#17: Gumption
Gumption means something is spirited, but not as in the holy ghost, but as in you have guts (are brave). She had the gumption to tell the boss he was wrong.
#18: Skeeter
Skeeter is another word for a mosquito.
#19: Lickety-Split
Lickety-split means very fast.
#20: Lighting Bug
This is the same thing as a firefly.
#21: Buggy
A buggy is simply a shopping cart.
#22: Hissy Fit
This another word for a tantrum.
#23: Coke
Southerners usually refer to all sodas as coke. Many times when someone says “get me a coke,” you will respond with “what kind” and they may say Dr. Pepper or Pepsi.
#24: Humdinger
Something or someone that is outstanding or funny.
#25: Supper
Supper is usually the last meal of the day, commonly referred to as dinner outside of the south. In the south, dinner is usually lunch.
What are some of your favorite words true southerners say? Let us know in the comments!
